Laurea Magistrale (Second cycle degree/Two year Master - 120 ECTS) in International Horticultural Science

The main aim of this programme is not only to provide high level training to produce graduates able to stand up to the challenges of modern horticulture, but also to provide them with the tools required to tackle the rapid changes taking place at European and world level. To achieve these outcomes, the IMaHS programme aims to exploit the complementary competences of the 8 European partners (UNIBO Bologna, TUM Munich, BOKU Vienna, COR Budapest, SUPAGRO Montpellier, AGROCAMPUS Anger, HUB Berlin, FUB Bolzano), to offer a unique, integrated structure where all semesters are run jointly by two universities, allowing students to gain experiences in at least 4 different universities during the 2-year programme.

The programme is worth 120 ECTS and is divided into 4 semesters, each worth 30 ECTS. All students registered in Italy will begin the programme at UNIBO, and in the first semester, UNIBO and FUB will run core course units including: Ecosystems and Plant Ecophysiology, Advanced

Plant Pathology, Managing Crop Growth, Yield and Quality and Horticultural Economics.

During the second semester methodological course units will run, covering: Crop Biotechnology, Research Evaluation Methods in Horticultural Economics, Systems Analysis as a Research Method, Plant Physiology and Analytical Chemistry . The semester run jointly by TUM and HU, entitled "From Plant to Genes", focuses on the biotech aspects of agricultural production and the development of new crops and cultivation systems. On the other hand, that run jointly by COR and BOKU focuses on the physiological aspects of plant production and biotech as an investigation tool in the study of the interaction between crops and the environment.

The third semester offers students the chance to specialise in four different areas (Control and Optimization of Horticultural Systems; Sustainable Systems in Mediterranean and Tropical Horticulture; Sustainable Fruit Production; High Value Crops) covering the main fields of interest of horticulture, responding to the needs of sector operators. The fourth semester is dedicated to internships (5 ECTS) and the production of a dissertation (25 ECTS), supervised by one UNIBO-FUB professor and one from another partner university.

Conoscenza e capacità di comprensione (knowledge and understanding)
2nd cycle graduatespossess knowledge and understanding in the following fields:
Production:
- Theoretical and practical knowledge on biology, horticulture, and agricultural ecosystem management and ecology, sustainable production, agricultural economics, quality management, which are indispensable for an effective professional development
- Extensive knowledge on the biotic and abiotic factors affecting the production and the processing system and their impact on the environment, product quality and consumer health
- Basic skills concerning horticulture and genetic improvement.
Protection
- in-depth scientific knowledge on the fields of genetic improvement, biology and applied physiology, on the use of real-time monitoring and management methods for sustainable fruit crop production processes
- Understanding of the factors affecting production and yield and the methods used to optimise them.
Supply chain management
- Knowledge of the global horticulture scenario
- Competencies in the use of tools to support the "decision-making system”
- Technical and organisational knowledge and laboratory skills for the quality control of production chain in various fields of fruit crop production.
- Knowledge and understanding of the latest production and processing technologies.

Knowledge in the various learning areas is acquired through individual study and the production of written work during the study programme at Bologna and in the other partner universities. The programme aims to provide a solid knowledge base on the main agronomic, biochemical, physiological, genetic and managerial skills involved in a quality and sustainable production. This knowledge and understanding is assessed in course unit exams and in the production of the dissertation for the final examination.

Capacità di applicare conoscenza e comprensione (applying knowledge and understanding)
2nd cycle graduatesare able to apply their knowledge and understanding in the following fields:
Production
- ability to apply scientific and practical knowledge of biology, horticulture, agricultural ecosystem management and ecology, sustainable production, agricultural economics, quality management in order to establish an optimum management of the horticultural production chain.
- ability to develop ecologically, economically and socially sustainable intervention strategies to optimise human inputs in connection with the environmental factors
- ability to identify the main production and quality characteristics of the species involved and to design specific improvement programmes.
Protection
- ability to identify and manage the critical points of a sustainable fruit production process in real time based on their extensive knowledge of genetic improvement, biology and applied physiology.
- ability to optimise production systems and yields through knowledge of limiting critical factors.
Supply chain management
- ability to support the decision-making process using specific tools such as the knowledge of global horticulture.
- quality control techniques of the production chain in various fields of crop production using technical and logistical knowledge and laboratory skills.
- ability to use the most recent technologies applied to production and processing techniques.

In order to apply the knowledge acquired, case studies offering different problems in each learning area will be presented to students Students will deal with different steps of the decision-making process in order to manage and solve real situations. These abilities are assessed through case studies requiring at the students to propose sustainable and real solutions.

Autonomia di giudizio (making judgements)
2nd cycle graduates
- are able to define the best fruit and vegetable production techniques with a view to environmental protection;
- are able to analyse data and information autonomously to assess the quality and effectiveness of the results obtained in the design of strategies for problem control, nutrition and/or fertilisation;
- are able to evaluate autonomously the problems relating to their professional activity and which may in particular concern the feasibility of horticultural development programmes in both advanced economies and emerging countries;
- are able to assess quality control systems applied to fruit and vegetables and methods for defining internal and external quality parameters;
- can plan activities and strategies to meet objectives, considering times and methods;
Judgement skills are developed in particular through practical exercises, seminars and the preparation of written work as well as in the activities assigned by the supervising professors (tutor and co-tutor) in preparation of the final dissertation.
Judgement skills are assessed through the evaluation of the activities carried out in the various programme locations and the evaluation of the students' ability to work autonomously as well as in groups during the activities assigned in preparation of the final examination.

Abilità comunicative (communication skills)
2nd cycle graduates
- are able to explain and reason their own hypotheses developed autonomously on subjects included in their studies;
- are able to work in multidisciplinary groups;
- are able to work autonomously and adapt to new situations;
- having completed the degree programme held entirely in the English language and having been in contact with different European cultures, have the ability to work jointly on projects and activities with foreign stakeholders in a European context.
Written and oral communication skills are developed in particular during seminars, practical exercises and learning activities which also require the production and oral presentation of written assignments. The above communication skills will also be assessed through the production and presentation of the final dissertation in the English language.

Capacità di apprendimento (learning skills)
2nd cycle graduates
- are aware of and able to assess their own skills in order to continue their learning autonomously to update and improve their skills;
- are able to apply the developed learning methods and tools to update and extend the contents studied, also in professional contexts, and to continue further studies with a high level of autonomy.
Learning skills are acquired throughout the study periods spent at Bologna and the partner universities, particularly concerning self-study, the production of individual projects assigned and the final dissertation and examination.
Learning skills are evaluated through continuous assessment during the learning activities and during the final examination activities.